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White House Names Two New York Officials to Administration

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White House Names Two New York Officials to Administration

By Jeff Zeleny February 19, 2009 9:55 amFebruary 19, 2009 9:55 am

President Obama on Thursday announced the appointments of two New York officials to his administration, naming Adolfo Carrión Jr. as the White House Director of Urban Affairs and Derek Douglas as a special assistant to the president for urban affairs.

Mr. Carrión, who has served two terms as the Bronx borough president, will lead the newly-created office of urban affairs. Mr. Obama said he created the position to “focus on wise investments and development in our urban areas that will create employment and housing opportunities.”

Mr. Douglas has served as the director of the Washington office for Gov. David Paterson of New York.

“I look forward to working with these talented leaders to bring long overdue attention to the urban areas where 80 percent of the American people live and work,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “Vibrant cities spawn innovation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment.”

It was an excellent idea by President Obama to have an office focused on urban development, just as we have on for rural development. Getting the administration set up to handle policy going forward by having the best information available from the best people is a wicked wise move from the President.

Has Kathleen Sebelius’ tax records been checked?
Obama has too many tax cheats around him. Let’s take the time to make sure we get a good, ethical, law-abiding cabinet appointment. Or is that too much to ask for?

Our new President clearly has a gift for sizing up talent, nothwithstanding some spotty exceptions in the early runup to his cabinet selections. Americans can feel good that in Adolfo Carrion, Obama has tapped a smart, savvy, experienced and clear thinker to help set the urban agenda of the future. He has worked wonders in our beloved Bronx with a scaleable development framework, and I like the bench strength aspect of this pick to boot. Adolfo is a good man, and Obama was very smart in tapping him.

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